Explosions, in their
simplest form are rapid
releases of energy accompanied
by shock waves
and often destructive consequences.
Over the centuries, humans have harnessed
this power,
transforming it into tools
of construction,
destruction and unfortunately, warfare.
Today, we're comparing the vast
spectrum of explosions
from the small sparks
that light up the night sky to the earth
shaking blasts
that alter the course of history.
What was the biggest explosion
ever created by humans
and how did agricultural supplies
figure into one of the deadliest
explosions in the United States?
Well, we'll get there.
But for now,
let's start small firecrackers,
the sparkly stars
of special celebrations.
The intended purpose.
Well, they're all about festivities,
bringing joy and color
to special occasions.
Very popular in New Year
celebrations around the world.
But these miniature explosives
pack a punch,
reaching a few meters in height.
Despite their small size,
they can cause harm.
If you don't know how to handle them.
Yeah.
With unsupervised usage,
they can cause injuries
and sometimes property damage.
The most common injuries
include hearing damage and burns.
But in more extreme cases,
they can cost you a finger or an eye.
So be safe and keep a safe distance
from lit firecrackers.
Never hold a lit
firecracker in your hand
and think about wearing ear protection.
Even the smallest explosions
demand respect
and they only get bigger from here.
Okay, moving up the explosive ladder,
let's take a look
at the controlled power of dynamite.
Dynamite.
Explosions with their reach
extending to tens of meters
are a versatile tool
for excavation and demolition
and are the workhorses
of construction and mining.
But dynamite has also been
infamously associated
with criminal activity.
Yeah, you may remember it
from the Wild West era,
when bank robbers
used it to bust open safes.
Well, the use of dynamite
in these situations
led to a dramatic rise
in security measures
demolitions using dynamite
cause significant
structural damage
and can send debris
flying within the blast zone.
If you find yourself in a situation
where dynamite is being used, well,
make darn sure
to maintain a safe distance.
Pay attention
to the posted warnings
and follow evacuation instructions.
Wearing a helmet
and safety
glasses will give you
an additional layer of defense
against flying debris.
But unfortunately, not all
explosions are for construction
or celebration as bombs used in warfare,
whether dropped from planes
or detonated
by other means,
result in devastating explosions
often
reaching heights of over 100 meters.
Think of a World War Two's blitz in 1940
and 41 as an infamous example
of widespread bombing.
Major cities, including London, saw
relentless attacks
aimed at breaking the morale
of the civilian population.
However, the biggest non-nuclear
warfare explosion
was in Afghanistan in April of 2017.
The U.S.
military dropped the mother of all bombs,
or MOAB.
This massive bomb filled with 11
tons of high
explosives, explodes above the ground
and destroys
all surfaces, mines
and enemies within a 150 meter radius.
But beyond the physical destruction,
these explosions are intended
to cripple societies and military forces.
In the unfortunate event of a bombing.
Your survival depends on quick
and informed actions.
Find shelter immediately.
Follow emergency plans
meticulously, and stay informed
about the safest routes
to navigate the chaos.
While there's no strategy that guarantees
absolute safety,
being prepared is a powerful
ally in times of conflict.
Okay.
Moving on to a less tragic scenario.
Have you ever wondered
how buildings vanish so neatly?
Well, the answer is controlled demolition
explosives strategically placed
to bring down a structure,
the tallest building ever
to be imploded
with controlled demolition.
Was Detroit's
Greater Hudson store in 1998.
This building had a height of 125 meters.
The main reasons for
these explosions are to make space
for new development
or to eliminate unsafe buildings.
And when performed correctly,
these explosions result
in a controlled collapse
within the demolition zone.
But if they're not carefully planned,
there's a risk of dust and debris
affecting the surrounding area.
If you find yourself near
a scheduled building demolition,
well, follow
safety guidelines
ensuring that you're at a safe distance.
Or better yet,
just get the heck out of there.
Protective gear, like a dust mask,
can help reduce the chance
of debris
and airborne particles
getting in your airway.
Okay.
Now let's shift
our focus to a more sinister creation.
Fertilizer bombs, these improvised
explosive devices
have left a permanent mark on our world.
Fertilizer bombs are made
by using common agricultural ingredients,
typically combining ammonium
nitrate with fuel
to create a volatile mixture.
The size of a fertilizer bomb
explosion is unpredictable and can vary
based on the type of explosive
materials used and the quantity.
Today, we'll focus on a bomb
that had the blast equivalent
of over 1800 kilograms of TNT
and could be heard
and felt 90 kilometers away.
I'm talking about the Oklahoma City
bombing of 1995.
This act of domestic terrorism
targeted the Alfred B Murrah
Federal Building
with a bomb made up of more than two
tons of ammonium nitrate,
fertilizer and fuel oil
concealed in a rental truck.
One third of the building
was instantly reduced to rubble.
Dozens of cars were incinerated
and more than 300 nearby
buildings were damaged.
A total of 168 people were killed,
including 19 children.
More than 500 people were injured.
To survive a fertilizer bomb explosion,
you'd need to take shelter
immediately, ideally
behind a sturdy structure
in order to minimize exposure
to flying debris.
If you're indoors, move away from windows
and toward the center of the building.
Okay.
We're nearing the end of our list
and we're
now entering
the realm of nuclear explosions.
The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki in World
War Two were extremely powerful,
with explosions
reaching heights of over one kilometer.
These devastating bombs
led to Japan's surrender in 1945.
The cataclysmic
aftermath of these attacks
showcased the unparalleled capability
of nuclear weapons
to cause mass destruction.
Thankfully, to this day,
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
remain the only instances
in which a nuclear weapon
has been deployed in armed conflict.
Those bombs resulted in
hundreds of thousands of deaths,
the obliteration of entire city
blocks and long
term health consequences
due to radiation exposure.
These explosions funded mentally
altered the course of history influencing
global geopolitics
and nuclear regulations.
Now, in the event of an imminent
nuclear attack,
getting to a sturdy structure
with a fallout shelter is crucial.
Want more tips about making it
through a nuclear apocalypse?
Well,
we have a lot of videos
on how to survive
one hit that subscribe button
to stay informed and stay alive.
All right.
Now it's time for the grand finale.
The large last
man made explosion in history
courtesy of the czar Bomba.
The mushroom cloud from this Soviet
hydrogen bomb test
reached heights of over 60 kilometers.
This colossal bomb was conceived
as a demonstration of the Soviet Union's
nuclear capability.
During the Cold War arms race, it
sent a clear message to rival nations.
Its explosion could obliterate
an entire city,
causing firestorms
and immense damage to infrastructure.
And the repercussions
of a detonation
like this would extend
well beyond the immediate blast zone,
as well as produce long
lasting nuclear fallout.
Surviving that SA bomba
like explosion
would be extraordinarily challenging.
It's enormous scale and devastating
effects are unprecedented.
In the unlikely event of such a scenario.
Well, I don't need to tell you this,
but evacuate the blast zone immediately,
find shelter underground
and follow government instructions
to protect yourself against
exposure to radiation.
You know, as we finish
this comparison, it's clear
that while explosions
are undeniably deadly,
there's also an inexplicable
fascination that makes it hard
for us to look away.
Something about raw, destructive power
makes us want to capture
that moment forever.
So check out our list
of the craziest explosions
caught on camera
right here on how to survive.